Investigations of the Working Process in a Dual-Fuel Low-Emission Combustion Chamber for an FPSO Gas Turbine Engine

Abstract

Abstract This investigation is devoted to an analysis of the working process in a dual-fuel low-emission combustion chamber for a floating vessel’s gas turbine. The low-emission gas turbine combustion chamber with partial pre-mixing of fuel and air inside the outer and inner radial-axial swirlers was chosen as the object of research. When modelling processes in a dual-flow low-emission gas turbine combustion chamber, a generalized method is used, based on the numerical solution of the system of conservation and transport equations for a multi-component chemically reactive turbulent system, taking into consideration nitrogen oxides formation. The Eddy-Dissipation-Concept model, which incorporates Arrhenius chemical kinetics in a turbulent flame, and the Discrete Phase Model describing the interfacial interaction are used in the investigation. The obtained results confirmed the possibility of organizing efficient combustion of distillate liquid fuel in a low-emission gas turbine combustion chamber operating on the principle of partial preliminary formation of a fuel-air mixture. Comparison of four methods of liquid fuel supply to the channels of radial-axial swirlers (centrifugal, axial, combined, and radial) revealed the advantages of the radial supply method, which are manifested in a decrease in the overall temperature field non-uniformity at the outlet and a decrease in nitrogen oxides emissions. The calculated concentrations of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide at the flame tube outlet for the radial method of fuel supply are 32 and 9.1 ppm, respectively. The results can be useful for further modification and improvement of the characteristics of dual-fuel gas turbine combustion chambers operating with both gaseous and liquid fuels.